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Pine County adopts amendment easing location rules for lower-potency hemp edibles; further hearing set on product placement
Summary
The Pine County Board adopted Ordinance 2026-14 removing a 1,000-foot proximity restriction for lower-potency hemp edibles, after public comment about product placement and enforcement; the board scheduled a May 5 hearing to consider requiring behind-the-counter storage in non-age-restricted businesses.
The Pine County Board of Commissioners voted April 7 to adopt Pine County Ordinance 2026-14, amending the county's rules on the retail sale of lower-potency hemp edibles by removing a requirement that retailers be located more than 1,000 feet from youth-oriented facilities.
County Administrator Kelly Schroeder told the board the change would reduce barriers that currently prevent many businesses, including some within city limits, from selling lower-potency hemp products. Schroeder framed the amendment as narrowing the ordinance's reach by removing the youth-facility proximity definition contained in Ordinance 2025-40.
The adoption followed a public hearing in which Pine City Administrator Marcy Peterson raised enforcement and product-location questions, Pokegama resident Victoria Sigurdson expressed mental-health concerns tied to use, Pine City Liquor Store Manager Lara Smetana said businesses with 21+ staff and existing training can safely sell restricted products, and Pine City Planner Tabitha Pickett recommended that businesses that are not primarily age-restricted place THC beverages behind the counter.
Commissioner Hallan moved to adopt the amendment; Commissioner Ludwig seconded. Chair Joshua Mohr and Commissioners Hallan and Ludwig voted in favor. Commissioner Roger Nelson voted against the ordinance, and Commissioner JJ Waldhalm abstained. The motion carried 3-1 with 1 abstention.
Following board discussion about point-of-sale placement and state licensing versus county permitting, the board directed staff to schedule a follow-up public hearing on May 5, 2026 to consider an additional amendment that would require businesses whose primary offerings are not age-restricted to store lower-potency hemp beverages behind the counter or in another controlled area not accessible to the general public.
The ordinance as adopted removes the distance restriction but leaves open more targeted placement and enforcement rules to be considered at the May 5 hearing. No changes to state licensing requirements were made by the board at the April 7 meeting.
Next steps: staff will prepare legal language for the proposed May 5 amendment on product placement and return it to the board for public comment and a subsequent decision.
